Page 144 of Claim Me
"I have to complete the search, sir."
"You’ve completed enough."
The officer finishes, never reaches for my crotch, and steps back sooner than procedure would usually require.
"You’re clear," he mutters, looking slightly embarrassed. Blue, despite his small stature, carries such a strong presence that it’s hard to disregard. He knows his value, and people pick up on it instantly. I’m the opposite.
I lower my arms and move straight back into position beside him, placing myself between him and the nearest guard in a way that is just a bit ostentatious. Every time someone shifts too close, I adjust, subtly but constantly maintaining a clean perimeter around him. It seems to please him, and I sense it almost as clearly as if it were my own emotion, which keeps puzzling me.
Unexpectedly, we’re stopped by another guard holding a plastic tray. On it lie two objects that look like clips, or maybe those breathing aids athletes use, but I have no idea what they are.
The guard pushes the tray toward us. "Put these on your noses. This inmate’s pheromones are extremely strong. They have a powerful effect on alphas and omegas." His tone carries a strange undertone, suggestive in a way that makes the implication clear even before he explains.
"I don’t—" I start, but Blue cuts in.
"Gabriel, put it on. I’m not wearing it."
The guard raises an eyebrow. "I recommend that you do. I’ve seen what it does, and I wouldn’t advise going without it. We’ve already had several… incidents across the facility because of Fenn Drax’s pheromones."
Blue lifts his chin slightly. "A little self-control is enough."
The guard bares his upper teeth in a predatory half-smile. "Suit yourselves. But I strongly recommend it for the alpha. He’s young. It will be way more difficult for him to resist."
"Yeah, Gabriel, put it on," Blue says. "You’ll have to breathe through your mouth."
I just need to ask, even if I kinda already know.
"What exactly do his pheromones do?"
The guard sighs and spells it out.
"Basically, you’ll feel like you’re going into rut. The urge to fuck will be so strong that holding yourself back will actually hurt."
I grimace. "I don’t get why you didn’t just give him pheromone blockers, or at least deodorant."
The guard shakes his head. "We can’t. He’d go into anaphylactic shock. Deodorants also trigger severe hives and allergic dermatitis."
I sigh. "Fine." Then I grab the plastic clip and put it on my nose. Breathing through my mouth isn’t exactly pleasant, but I don’t really have a choice. Only then do we move forward.
We are waved through the next set of doors, which open with a heavy buzz before locking behind us with a solid sound that echoes down the corridor. Inside, the atmosphere feels different, denser. Two correctional officers take over as our escort, one ahead and one behind, and I keep track of both while staying close enough to Blue that our shoulders almost brush when the hallway narrows.
We pass through a sequence of secured sections, each door opening only after the previous one seals shut behind us, the rhythm repetitive. Cameras are mounted high in the corners, angled downward, and the walls show heavy wear that comes from years of use.
"Interview room," the officer in front says as we turn into another corridor, his tone matter-of-fact. "Non-contact is also available if needed."
"It won’t be," Blue replies, calmly.
The officer pauses to acknowledge that before continuing.
"He’s restrained. High-risk classification. But keep your distance and follow instructions, and there won’t be a problem."
Blue doesn’t respond.
We stop at a reinforced door. The officer unlocks it and pushes it open, stepping aside to let us enter first. I go in ahead of Blue, scanning the room in a single sweep before he crosses the threshold, then shift back to his side as he steps in.
The space is small, with a metal table bolted to the floor and chairs arranged on either side. A camera watches us from the upper corner. There are no windows, nothing to improve the atmosphere.
Blue takes his seat, resting his hands on the table as if this were just another meeting in his office. I sit beside him, closerthan necessary, tilting my body so that my shoulder and thigh nearly touch his. The proximity is deliberate. Whoever shows up needs to understand my role here.
